Belcher Academy VPK

Subtitle

Voluntary Prekindergarten or VPK gives children a jump start by preparing them for school and enhancing their pre-reading, pre-math, language and social skills. By developing the skills children need to become strong readers and students at an early age, children are more likely to be successful in school. VPK classrooms offer high-quality programs that include high literacy standards, developmentally appropriate curricula, manageable class sizes, and qualified teachers.

If you live in Florida and have a child who turns 4 years of age by September 1st, your child is eligible for Florida’s FREE VPK program. Your child can attend one of the two programs offered annually. The school-year program includes 540 hours of instructional time and begins in August. (http://www.vpkhelp.org)

Curriculum

Belcher Academy uses the Starfall Curriculum.. This program has shown great success in elementary schools across the country. Starfall believes young children learn best when they can make connections across
many disciplines. Therefore, early literacy, math, social studies, science, social-emotional
development, creative arts, physical movement, health, and technology are integrated
throughout the curriculum.

This year we have also been chosen as one of 25 schools in Pinellas County to pilot a program by Nemours for Early Literacy. This program has a proven increase of 110% in reading and writing with children who are in classrooms using this as an addition to their current curriculum.